"Can you all do me a favor and send Tiff a message. She needs to never see me again. Ever. And Sakura, well done you got me. And Eric? Gen was right. I think you got me the hardest. I'm embarrassed and ashamed when it comes to you. And you're so warm! I'll never forgive myself. I've gotten revenge before. I've hurt people. I've been vicious and cold blooded."
Kate tried to swallow, it needed her to tilt her whole body up while half of her was tied up. It was a miserable and awkward affair. It got so bad all three boys jumped to help. Kate had to scream with her sticky dry throat nearly killing her just to get them to back off. But they did, thankfully. She was mere crystal. It would take nothing for her to break. But her anger remained, an acid fire building heat inside her. It needed to burn something, and their bridges were made of straw.
"I know how I look, so pathetic right now, good, that'll make it easier when I humiliate you, ruin you."
She stared at Sakura, who was listened polite and prim despite her tears. Sakura wasn't allowed to make pain look so elegant.
"Never mind, just go, you wont believe me until it starts. Nurse!"
Kate croaked out.
They started helping her again, leaving her fighting and flailing like she was trying to kill a mosquito with a machete.
Elsie, of all people, was the one at the door.
"Okay, the charade is over. Everybody out!" She said clapping.
They ambled their way up and away, Richard was the first out the door, then a lingering Eric, then Sakura and then actually standing firm, big tuff shoulders up was Tall, Dark and Handsome.
"Ve Vill talk vhen you are ready." Was all he said before bowing. Kate's brow rose at that.
"Elise wait." Kate called as she turned to leave.
She turned and stepped up to Kate.
"What is it?" Elise demanded.
"Um, are you busy?"
"Why?" She asked, arms crossed.
"Because I can't be alone right now. I just can't. I just, please." It was like bleeding herself after having stuck the knife in herself and every syllable was the blade sawing its way in.
Elise sat.
"What do you want me to do?"
The meat cut deep and sure.
"Just be right here. I'm about to fall asleep anyway."
Kate reached out and when Elsie took her hand she pulled hard enough that the hospital bed shifted, tilting on two legs and Elsie buckled into her.
"I'm sorry. Just don't go." Kate said shaking and weeping, that had to be six, maybe even seven times, she didn't know.
It didn't matter.
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✨ Stand with me — follow and share as Zenith dives into the unease beneath the surface. ✨
The day clung to Ella like cold water she couldn't shake.
She danced, she laughed, she ate—but her parents' worried gestures left her unsettled.
Even the dog ignored her call, silence stretching across the yard.
And when the night closed in, homework was only a distraction from the gnawing sense that something was wrong.
Next time on Zenith:
What did Ella's parents know, and why did even the family dog refuse to answer her whistle?